Real Salt Lake 0 at Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2
July 13, 2016; Vancouver, British Columbia; BC Place
Real Salt Lake (8-6-5, 29 points); Vancouver Whitecaps FC (8-8-4, 28 points)
Man of the Match: In just his second start and appearance of his rookie season, Omar Holness looked like a veteran midfielder pulling the strings for RSL. All evening Holness created chances and put other RSL players in positions to score. After narrowly missing a tough shot in the first half, the UNC product turned provider finding space to exploit while releasing an ever-dangerous RSL front three in 90 well spent minutes.
Telling Stat: 51-56. RSL outdueled the Whitecaps in what turned out to be a gritty affair at BC Place. In a game that featured seven total yellow cards, RSL showed their defensive prowess across the pitch winning tough battles in the final third of the field and handling Vancouver crosses into the box in their defensive third.
What You Missed: RSL travelled only 16 players north to Vancouver. A very compact schedule through the summer months has created a unique opportunity when injuries and heavy legs arise. While the team is struggling with a slight injury bug, the young guns in the lineup showed that they too can play like seasoned veterans. Once again, Head Coach Jeff Cassar rolled out a young midweek lineup displaying the depth and quality of his team against Vancouver. RSL players between the ages 19 and 23 combined for a total of 337 minutes against the Whitecaps.
So What: RSL is now 8-6-5 in MLS play in 2016 and 3-6-2 away from Rio Tinto Stadium. Although the team would’ve liked to grab a result in Vancouver, understanding that there is plenty of soccer left to play this season proves to be important. Sitting in third place in an airtight Western Conference, RSL will be looking to pick up points this weekend when Eastern Conference foes the New England Revolution visit Salt Lake. Kickoff is slated for 8 p.m. on July 16 at Rio Tinto.
